In My World

I have used WalMart's Photo Centre for photo processing for as long as I can remember until one day when I went to process an order and there was a new policy.  You have to pay for the photos in advance with a credit card.  Now let me just say I do understand having to pay for really large orders in advance . . . but . . . that wasn't the case here.  So I had a little protest . . .  I generally pay for online purchases with prepaid credit cards (gift cards or whatever you want to call them) and I had a few lying around with small amounts of money left on them so I placed multiple orders of anywhere from 5 to 25 photos and gradually used up all the money on the gift cards.   Here's what I picked up the next day . . .  I order my photos from Superstore's Photolab now.  They only request a credit card on orders over $75.00 and they are just across the parking lot from WalMart.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014 Tanka Tuesday: Downtown It's time for the next installment of Tanka Tuesday! Tanka is a form of poetry similar to haiku. It's short, and the lines don't need to rhyme. The just must have a set number of syllables: 5/7/5/7/7. For more about tanka, see the original post here. Today's tanka prompt is: downtown. like Cinderella  and not a moment too soon  big change is coming  a historic part of our  town will rise from the rubble

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of  the top 250 movies of all time . I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher. And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well. So here is #7 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB: Forrest Gump (1994) Who doesn't love Tom Hanks? In fact, some days I'd like to be Forrest Gump.  Forrest Gump, is considered slow-witted, but thanks to his Mother he was never left out of anything.  In fact, he had many adventures including being a college football star, a soldier in Vietnam, the ca...

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time . I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher. And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well. So here is #5 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB: The Shawshank Redemption (1994) I loved loved loved this movie. Of course I don't think I've ever seen a Morgan Freeman movie I didn't love. Tim Robbins plays a man who is found guilty of murdering his wife and her lover. He is innocent but I guess that doesn't matter. The movie is about his life in pris...

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time . I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher. And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well. So here is #2 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB: Star Wars:  Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) I can't say I am a huge fan of the Star Wars franchise . . . but I do like it quite a bit.  I think it is very clever.  And I can't believe I never questioned why the first movie was called Episode IV. It has a great and swashbuckling story line and great special ...

Recipe - Roasted Asparagus 4 servings Preparation 10 min   Cooking 10 min 100 calories per serving   Ingredients 40 asparagus, average size 800 g 3 tbsp olive oil 45 mL 1 pinch salt  [optional] 0.1 g Method Preheat the oven to 230ºC/450ºF. Clean the asparagus , then lay them on an oiled baking tray. Coat thoroughly with oil, then season with salt. Cook in the middle of the oven until the asparagus change colour, about 8-10 min, depending on their size. Shake the tray a couple times during cooking, so that the asparagus will grill evenly. Alternatively, asparagus may be wrapped in aluminum foil and cooked on an outdoor grill at 'medium-high'. For small quantities, asparagus may also be  sautéed  in a pan on the stovetop. Serve.

Recipe - Brined Salmon with Maple Syrup 4 servings Brining 4 h   Preparation 10 min   Cooking 10 min 210 calories per serving   Ingredients 3 cups water 750 mL 3 tbsp coarse salt 55 g 1 pinch peppercorns 1 g 3/4 tsp lemon zest, finely grated 1/4 lemon 1/3 cup maple syrup 85 mL 600 g salmon fillet 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil 23 mL Before you start Be sure to precisely measure the salt amount and not to exceed the brining time, otherwise the final result may be too salty. Keep the serving plates in the oven at the lowest setting so they are warm when you serve. Method Pour the water and salt in a bowl or shallow mould, then mix well until the salt is dissolved. Lightly crush the peppercorns then add them to the brine. Add the grated zest and maple syrup. Remove and discard the skin of the salmon, then put the salmon in the brine. Cover the salmon completely with the brine (Depending on the size of the bowl, it may be necessary to add ...

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time .  I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher. And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well. So here is #1 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB: The Godfather (1972) I love this movie.  Maybe it is just that I love so many of the actors in this movie -- Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Abe Vigoda and so many more.  I've always had a soft spot for Abe Vigoda from his days on the TV show, Barney Miller. But really it has everything --...

So we were at Ribfest last July and my dear hubby saw the face painting tent.  If you know my hubby at all, you know he is a big kid.  He tried to talk one of the grandsons into getting their faces painted but they were all to cool for that.  Hal isn't too cool for that . . . sigh . . . 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dforbes/118822735/ taken 2006 Let's start with a little history, taken from a Letter to the Editor by Brian Gorrill, published in the St. Thomas Times-Journal on March 5, 2009: From research in the newspaper from Tuesday, July 26, 1983, the then 88-year-old Dalewood bridge was slated for replacement because of rotted structural steel members. "The concrete abutments have also deteriorated," noted the article. To replace the structure at that time (1983), costs were pegged at $317,000, exclusive of any road construction. Installed in 1983, the Bailey bridge (on loan from the Ministry of Transportation) is a military-type structure. It is a temporary bridge, not a disposable bridge, has one lane and no load restrictions (cost $35,000). http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/2009/03/05/dalewood-bridge-provides-important-access-to-city . . . and more information taken from Ian's City Scope blog dated Nov. 14, 2014 : A 3...

FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014 Today's Writing Prompt: Meeting Someone New Describe the person you've most recently met for the first time. I've only known Norma for a short amount of time.  I don't know a whole lot about her and what I know I plan to keep to myself.  She may not appreciate her life posted on my blog. She is a lovely lady and I met her through Facebook.  She has, for whatever her reasons, decided to clear out all her craft supplies and she has a LOT.  The photo is of the first batch of crafting supplies I purchased on my first (of many) trips to her home. I think I should actually be saying that she HAD a lot.  Every day she posted more of her stash online and we quickly bid on the items we really needed or wanted.  This has been going on for about a month now and I have to say that on my last visit her basement was pretty much cleared out. Of course, I still managed to find a couple more things I NEED, so I'm heading back again t...

THE ORIGINAL TREATS™ This classic, delicious snack has been making memories for kids and parents alike for generations. INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons butter 1 package (10 oz., about 40) JET-PUFFED Marshmallows OR 4 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows 6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal DIRECTIONS 1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. 2. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated. 3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day. MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary. Note -For best results, use fresh marshmallows. -1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows. -Diet, reduc...